Brazen thieves pinch pup

A PUPPY worth $560 was stolen from under the noses of staff and shoppers in a Grafton pet shop yesterday afternoon.

The brown and white American staffordshire terrier, just 11 weeks old, was in a cage with its sister at Fish Scales and Furry Tails pet shop at the time of the theft.

The puppy was taken as newspaper at the bottom of the cage was being replaced and the pen cleaned.

"It was just so brazen ? the shop was packed with customers," said store owner, Pat Keener.

"You get some little bits and pieces stolen every now and again, like any retail store, but never anything like this.

"The last time someone tried to steal a pet, they tried to put a mouse into their pocket and I caught them on the video camera."

Mr Keener said the theft had been reported to police.

"Hopefully we'll get it back because there were a couple of witnesses. It's not a common dog and I've contacted all the vets and pet shops in the Valley and Coffs in case they try to re-sell it," he said.